New rule limits licensed oyster-harvest methods

State law has changed and a Standard Commercial Fishing License with a shellfish endorsement now is required to mechanically harvest shellfish, according to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. A Commercial Shellfish License now only covers hand-harvest methods.

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By Daily News staff

Published: Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 10:00 AM.

Fishermen who wish to dredge oysters this season should be aware of a new license requirement.

State law has changed and a Standard Commercial Fishing License with a shellfish endorsement now is required to mechanically harvest shellfish, according to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. A Commercial Shellfish License now only covers hand-harvest methods.

Mechanical harvest of oysters involves the use of dredges, stick rakes or other rakes towed by engine-powered vessels or the use of mechanically operated tongs. Mechanical oyster harvest season opens Nov. 11 with a 15-bushel limit per fishing operation per day. Harvest will be allowed from sunrise to 4 p.m. weekdays.

DMF said studies have shown excessive use of these harvest methods can damage oyster beds, and the state only allows mechanical harvest in specific deep-water areas where hand harvest is impractical.

The license requirement change was passed by the N.C. General Assembly as part of the state budget bill.

Crew members engaged in a mechanical shellfish operation under the direction of a person who holds a valid SCFL with a shellfish endorsement is not required to hold a shellfish license.

Fishermen who wish to dredge oysters this season should be aware of a new license requirement.

State law has changed and a Standard Commercial Fishing License with a shellfish endorsement now is required to mechanically harvest shellfish, according to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. A Commercial Shellfish License now only covers hand-harvest methods.

Mechanical harvest of oysters involves the use of dredges, stick rakes or other rakes towed by engine-powered vessels or the use of mechanically operated tongs. Mechanical oyster harvest season opens Nov. 11 with a 15-bushel limit per fishing operation per day. Harvest will be allowed from sunrise to 4 p.m. weekdays.

DMF said studies have shown excessive use of these harvest methods can damage oyster beds, and the state only allows mechanical harvest in specific deep-water areas where hand harvest is impractical.

The license requirement change was passed by the N.C. General Assembly as part of the state budget bill.

Crew members engaged in a mechanical shellfish operation under the direction of a person who holds a valid SCFL with a shellfish endorsement is not required to hold a shellfish license.

For more specific regulations and maps, see Proclamation SF-9-2013 at the DMF website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/proclamations.

For more information, contact Mike Marshall at 252-808-8077 or Mike.Marshall@ncdenr.gov.